Titanium Forging Process Ready to Embrace ‘Innovations Engineered for Era of Delivery’ By Michael C. Gabriele As the keynote speaker at the March 2022 AeroMat conference held in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Markus Heinimann, the vice president of technology and quality for the Engineered Structures group of Howmet Aerospace, described his observations on “Innovations Engineered for the Era of Delivery.” Interviewed in May, Heinimann underlined the challenges for this “Era of Delivery” in the near term for the aerospace industry, citing the many disruptions in the global supply chain and the ongoing efforts for airlines to recover from the severe business downturn from Covid-19. Despite these concerns, Heinimann expressed confidence that, for engineered structures such as titanium forgings, Howmet and other companies will continue to
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make steady progress jet deliveries down on manufacturing significantly. Many technology by business analysts, focusing on front-end including those quoted process management in TITANIUM TODAY’s and research and previous features, development investments anticipated that it would to reduce costs and take at least until the enhance production 2023/2024 time frame for reliability. the aerospace industry to In his keynote recover. address, Heinimann However, many noted that, as of this indications are that Dr. Markus Heinimann year, aerospace industry the commercial backlogs are close aerospace recovery has to pre-pandemic levels, but parts accelerated faster than expected, but of the industry supply chain are there’s possible turbulence lurking considerably weaker than 2019. It’s in the months ahead. The New no secret that the global commercial York Times, in its May 16 edition aerospace industry collapsed during reported that, while business travel the pandemic years of 2020 and is showing positive signs and gaining 2021, with revenues, air travel and altitude, “Russia’s war in Ukraine,
